"What do you mean you can't move me tonight?" James asked, gripping his knees.
"I mean exactly that. It's too dangerous. Not only do we have those two Krauts skulking around here, Klink also posted more security. Moving tonight is too risky," Colonel Hogan explained, leaning against a bunk.
"Not to mention you still can't see an officer without fainting," Newkirk added.
James ignored the Brit and pressed on with Hogan. "There has to be something you can do."
"There is. Kinch," Hogan turned towards the Sergeant, "get London on the radio and tell them the package will be delayed. Ask them how much time they can spare."
"On it, Colonel," the man said, going over to a fake sink covering a hole in the floor and disappearing within seconds.
James exhaled deeply and mashed his thumbs together. Stuck here another night with those officers roaming wherever they pleased. Sooner or later someone would be careless while the officers were being cautious. While he knew now was not the time to be taking unnecessary risk, James couldn't help but feel more anxious by the minute.
A hand slapped him on the back, causing him to jump. Newkirk's face stared at him with that inviting grin. "Come on now, don't look so out of it. We'll get you to London. We just gotta do it safely," he said.
"He's right. Those Krauts aren't messing around out there," Hogan agreed, eyes glancing towards the door, guarded by LeBeau.
"I know that. I was their prisoner, remember?" James shook his head at the memories. The truly awful ones were locked far away with the key buried even deeper. Newkirk told him the comment that was made while their arms were checked which did produce a smile from the boy. That kind of back talk could find the Brit in a lot of trouble though.
"Yeah, I haven't forgotten," Hogan said. "I'd like to do a little more to their arms then brand them. But we have to stay focused. Right now, all we can do is try and get you Kraut ready. Newkirk and LeBeau told me what happened last night."
James was quick to jump to his own defense, "If they had told me Schultz would be there, I would have prepared for it!"
Hogan sighed and shook his head. "That's the problem. You can't prepare for every German you may meet. You're just gonna have to get over your fear."
James felt a mix of anger and frustration well in his chest. Didn't the Colonel understand that if he could get over this he would? Not like he enjoyed being hauled off into another room or being the center of attention. His fist clenched in his lap and he hung his head. Arguing with the Colonel would only make matters worse.
"Colonel, may I suggest something?" the Brit pipped in,"One of us could escort him to the sub. Ya know, make sure he gets there alright and doesn't blow his cover."
Blue eyes shot open to the size of marbles. Colonel Hogan quickly shut the idea down. "It's one thing for an unknown man to sneak out and not be missed. It's another for one of the longest prisoners here to sneak out and not return for a few days."
"Oh, come on, Colonel Hogan. It's a sure-fire way he'll get to the submarine," Newkirk pushed.
James swallowed a lump in his throat. While someone helping him in this final leg of the journey sounded nice, he already put them through so much. This was an unneeded risk. "Newkirk, even if you went with me, there's nothing to stop a panic attack from happening. And Schultz won't be able to hide the fact you're gone for however long it takes."
"He's right," Hogan agreed. "The kid will have to go alone."
Newkirk chuckled and shook his head. "You think I'd make such a request without having a plan already in mind?" he asked, folding his arms and setting his elbows on the table. "I thought it out last night. I could get thrown in solitary for a few days; just long enough to get James there and me back here. The only time I'll be checked on is for food, and even then, someone can sneak in and eat it in me place."
The corners of the Colonel's mouth twitched up. The plan didn't sound too terrible after all. "Alright, but what about the Krauts? An escort won't be any good if he falls out," Hogan noted. James couldn't argue with him there. A grown man afraid of another German? Unheard of.
Newkirk's smile stretched across his whole face, showcasing his slightly yellow teeth. "You're gonna be right proud of me, sir. We put some bandages over his eyes, say he got wounded in the war, and I'm his guide. He won't be able to see the Krauts and the blokes will probably take pity on him!"
"Newkirk, remind me again why you've never had officer training?" Hogan asked.
"I'm a criminal, sir," the Brit replied.
As the Colonel and Corporal began to think of ways to get Newkirk thrown in solitary for a few days, James was left to sit there, stunned. This went above and beyond the rumors he had heard. And there was no way he could let the other do something so selfless for him. The conversation got louder when the soldiers hit upon something they couldn't agree on and James placed his arm between them. A bit of his brand showed from his sleeve. That quieted the two men enough so that James could say, "I appreciate the lengths you're all willing to go for me, but I can't accept such a generous offer. I'll go on my own and if I'm captured, I'm captured. There's no use endangering yourselves for no reason."
Hogan and Newkirk let out a sigh in unison. "You know, as soldiers, that's our job, right? In the field or in here, we're always endangering ourselves. And trust me, we've done riskier things than simply going across Germany," Hogan said.
Of course that would be their answer. Stupid. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, isn't that what they always say? "Sorry, Colonel. I-I was just…I've felt like such a burden these past few days…"
"Burden? Why, you've been better than most of the guest we have," Newkirk said. "They're always so gung-ho about things. Makes a mess." James chuckled. He knew that Newkirk was just joking to make him feel better, but he couldn't help but laugh.
"Does the plan sound good to you, James?" Hogan asked.
"Yes, Colonel," the boy answered, a nervous smile on his face.
"Excellent. Once Major Klaus and Captain Marx leave our lovely abode, we'll work on getting you out of here."
